An anal fistula is an abnormal communication between the anal or rectal lumen and the perianal skin. Anal fistulae are described according to the level at which they transgress the anal sphincter. If the internal opening begins above the anal sphincter then the fistula is described as 'high'. Traditional surgery for high-type anal fistulae often requires staged operations with fistulotomy and seton insertion. The surgery usually results in large and deep wounds which can take months to heal. Moreover, risk of faecal incontinence is inevitable because part of the anal sphincter is divided during the surgery.

The Surgisis® anal fistula plug is a minimally invasive and sphincter-preserving alternative to traditional fistula surgery. It is a newly developed biomaterial made from complex collagen obtained from pigs - animals that have a collagen structure almost identical to that of human tissue. During manufacturing of the plug, living cells are removed by special processes to help ensure that no transmittable diseases are present in the tissue. The plug is a conical device and is placed by drawing it through the fistula tract and suturing it in place. As pig collagen is so similar to human collagen, the plug, once implanted, incorporates naturally over time into the human tissue (human cells and tissues will 'grow' into the plug), thus facilitating the closure of the fistula. Preliminary clinical data from USA showed a high fistula closure rate of 87%. The anal fistula plug can also avoid protracted postoperative wound care and minimise the risk of faecal incontinence.

We would like to carry out a pilot study, the aim of which is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new anal fistula plug in the management of high-type anal fistulae. This is believed to be the first study of its kind in Hong Kong.

Patients with high-type anal fistulae confirmed by MRI will be recruited into this study. Patients with previous history of fistula surgery, patients with Crohn's disease, and patients with known allergy to porcine material will be excluded. EUA + anal fistula plug will be performed. Outcome measures include fistula healing rate, recurrence rate, and morbidity. Follow-up MRI will be arranged at 3 months and 6 months after the operation to objectively evaluate the healing of the fistulae.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with high-type anal fistulae confirmed by MRI

Informed consent available

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with previous fistula surgery

Patients with Crohn's disease

Patients allergic to porcine material

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00487071